HOW TO START A BUSINESS

How To Start a Business in Akron , Ohio

1.) The One Stop Business Permit Center - Columbus , Ohio 1-800-248-4040. This phone call to request the Business Startup Kit for your retail, manufacturing or service business is the place to start. It contains :
A.) A licensing checklist for your type of firm with instructions on who else to call,
B.) Guidelines on how to register your business with the state in the form that you want,
C.) Registration information for the state Bureau of Workers Compensation for coverage,
D.) Registration information for the Ohio Bureau of Employment Services for unemployment compensation
purposes,
E.) An application and instructions for becoming an Ohio Withholding Agent for the State of Ohio Department
of Taxation,
F.) A list of assistance programs, and,
G.) The booklet STARTING YOUR BUSINESS IN OHIO which has a series of instructions, forms and contacts to help you get your business started.

2.) The Summit County Auditors Office - Akron , Ohio 1-330-643-2883.
This phone call is to obtain a Vendor's License or Temporary Vendor's License for Summit County .

3.) The City of Akron - Treasury Division Office of Special Assessments and Licenses - Akron , Ohio 1-330-375-2484.
This call is to obtain an Itinerant Retailer's License for the City of Akron and should include a pamphlet detailing the legal requirements for various kinds of businesses to operate in the City of Akron (SS111.340-SS111.354).

4.) The City of Akron - Division of Taxation - Akron , Ohio 1-330-375-2290.
This is to establish a Tax ID # for your business with the City of Akron for withholding purposes. There is a $5 fee for a copy of the ordinance and the forms that you need to fill out. At the end of the year, the City of Akron will send you an income tax form for your business. The short form is for individuals (e.g. sole proprietors and partners) and the long form is for those who have income other than found on a W-2 form.

5.) The United States Internal Revenue Service - Cincinnati , Ohio 1-800-829-1040.
This call is to obtain your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and establish Federal Income Tax Withholding as outlined in the booklet "Starting Your Business in Ohio ".

6.) The State of Ohio Department of Taxation - Akron , Ohio 1-330-643-1700.
This call is to obtain a Service Vendor's License if you need it. Determine if you need this license by reading the booklet "Starting Your Business in Ohio ". Also, this is a good place to find out about tax workshops for new and/or small businesses.

7.) City of Akron - Environmental Health/Food Service - Akron , Ohio 1-330-375-2405.
Call this office while planning a food service establishment in the city of Akron to get a permit to operate a food service establishment. If you plan to operate your food service establishment where there has not been one before, check with this office for special requirements.

8.) The Summit County Health Department - Akron , Ohio 1-330-923-4891 ex. 263.
This phone call is to obtain an application for a permit to operate a food service establishment in Summit County outside the city limits of Akron and Barberton.

9.) The City of Barberton - Health Department /Food Service - Barberton , Ohio 1-330-745-6067.
Call this office to obtain a permit to operate a food service establishment inside the city limits of Barberton .

10.) Ohio State Liquor Control Department - Permits - Columbus , Ohio 1-614-644-2431.
Call this office to obtain everything you need to serve and sell beer, wine and alcoholic beverages in your establishment.

11.) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Cleveland , Ohio 1-216-522-3818.
Call this office for a consultation about the requirements this office has of your business. A list of publications available from this agency can be found on the Internet at the OSHA website.

12.) The Small Business Administration (SBA) - Cleveland , Ohio 1-216-522-4180.
This organization can be very helpful in answering questions that you have and pointing you in the right direction for gathering information and getting licenses and permits. They can also help you make contact with associations and professionals in your industry/line of business. Most importantly, they have connections with lenders and they themselves make loans of up to $100,000 to qualified applicants.